Translational regulation via ribosome modification

This dataset compares the proteomes of WT P. fluorescens and a delta-hfq mutant strain. This forms part of our characterisation of a new mechanism for translational control in bacteria, based on the covalent modification of a ribosomal protein by the enzyme RimK. RimK modification induces specific effects on ribosomal stability and function, which in turn affects the abundance of the important translational regulator Hfq. RimK is itself controlled by binding to the small regulatory proteins RimA and RimB and the widespread signalling molecule cyclic-di-GMP. Deletion of rimK compromises motility, virulence and plant colonisation/infection in several different Pseudomonas species. Changes in intracellular RimK activity enable Pseudomonas to translate environmental pressures into dynamic ribosomal changes, and in turn into adaptive phenotypic responses to the surroundings. This promotes motility and virulence during the initial stages of plant contact, and phenotypes including attachment, metabolite transport and stress control during long-term environmental adaptation.